Resse Witherspoon dyed her hair for `Water For Elephants`

London: Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon, who plays a circus performer in the upcoming film `Water For Elephants`, says she dyed her hair white and cut it short to fit the role.

The 35-year-old who stars opposite Robert Pattinson says she had the option of a wig but instead opted for a makeover, reported a website.

"I debated about whether or not I was going to wear a wig. Ultimately, after lots of discussion and screen-testing, I decided, `I`m just going to cut my hair. I`m just going to dye it white. I`m just going to do it`," Witherspoon said.

"It was really transforming for me. I didn`t even recognize myself. It`s a real gift, as an actress, to have people around you, who are artisans that are the best at what they do, creating period costumes for you and set design. It`s a very collaborative medium. You`re only as good as the people that you collaborate with, so we were very lucky to have the best people in the business designing the film." Witherspoon, who will be seen skimpy outfits throughout the movie, says she exercised a lot before the shoot.

"I was training a lot, with the circus training, riding the elephant and riding horses, so I was pretty busy. I`ve made a conscious effort, throughout my career, to not end up in a bathing suit in a movie, and here I was in this movie, wearing a leotard for the majority of it. It was horrifying!

"But, it was inspiring to have Jacqueline West design them. They`re beautiful. It was a different time, when women loved their curves and enjoyed being voluptuous, and all that sort of thing. All of the costumes in the film are very flattering for women," she said.